Indian Chief Vintage: Specs, Features, Background, Performance, & More

After Polaris Industries acquired the Indian Motorcycle Company (IMC) in 2011, the motorcycle manufacturing wing redesigned the PowerPlus engine. In 2013, the IMC introduced new technology in the form of the 1811 cc Thunder Stroke 111 engine.

The new Indian motorcycle lineups were to feature this new engine going forward. In 2014, the the Indian Chief Classic, Chief Vintage, and Chieftain lineups were launched. While all three lineups were successful, the Chief Vintage proved to be special with its traditional Indian looks, new engine, six-speed transmission, stylish handlebars, chrome accents, windshield, two-up leather seats, saddlebags, and low price.

The Indian Chief Vintage motorcycle is an example of magnificent craftsmanship. This article will discuss all about the Indian Chief Vintage’s specs, features, background, performance, and more.

The Chief Vintage was introduced in 2014, with many Indian motorcycle fans falling in love with its powerful engine, impressive performance, and classy look. The design team had done an outstanding job showing off the glorious history of the Indian Motorcycle Company through this masterpiece.

Since both the Indian Chief Classic and the Indian Chief Vintage motorcycles were launched in 2014, they had the same engine, body frame, drive train, suspensions, and fuel control system. The factory-installed standard equipment of the Chief Vintage, inclduing the leather motorcycle luggage and wind protection, set it apart from the Chief Classic.

In 2020, the Chief Vintage got a longer rake similar to the Indian Springfield. On the surface, it appears that the Vintage has remained unchanged. However, there have been some noteworthy changes over the years as shown in the table below:

Any aesthetic changes were restricted to new paint jobs. The lower prices also made this bike more favorable for customers. For further details, see the table below:

It came as a shock when the Indian Motorcycle Company did not introduce a new motorcycle for the Chief Vintage lineup in 2022. Much to the dismay of the Chief Vintage fans, this model was discontinued in 2022 after an eight-year-long-production cycle.

The Chief Vintage has the traditional cruiser look. The bike features beautiful whitewall Dunlop Elite tires. The deeply valanced color-matched full fenders feature a war bonnet fender light and cover more than half of the tires. The liberal use of chrome on the front forks, handlebars, mirrors, and crash bars give the bike a luxurious feel. The large headlight has a beautiful chrome nacelle that offers maximum visibility.

The transparent windshield offers maximum wind protection and adds to the bike’s bagger look. Moreover, the large teardrop-shaped fuel tank has a well-finished paint job with minimal shine. The hand grips are wide and have beautiful brown leather covers. The brown leather rider and passenger seats and saddlebags come with decorative fringes that look striking against the bike’s chrome plating and paint job.

At the heart of the Chief Vintage cruiser lies a powerful 1811 cc V-twin, four-stroked, air-cooled engine that can produce a maximum torque of 161.6 Nm at 3000 rpm. The low-end to mid-range torque produced by the engine offers an enjoyable and relaxed cruising experience.

The engine also produces an impressive horsepower of 79 hp. The engine power is delivered to the rear wheel via a six-speed transmission.

The closed loop fuel injection system is an efficient fuel system offering great engine outputs and a good fuel economy.

The Indian Chief Vintage is heavy when parked but is still able to ride at high speed despite its weight. Though heavyweight, this bike is very agile and easy to handle on long straight smooth roads, wide curves, and sharp corners.

The Chief Vintage got a longer rake in 2020, this change lead ingto greater stability and slow speed maneuvers when turning corners.

The earlier Chief Vintage models lacked the air adjustable rear shock absorbers. But the later models were upgraded with fantastic suspensions. You can enjoy a smooth ride regardless of the road conditions, making the Vintage a capable tourer.

The Chief Vintage features classic chrome wire wheels and whitewall Dunlop tires. The 130 mm front tire and 180 mm rear tires are covered with embellished full fenders. The wheels bring out the vintage character of the bike and offer maximum traction for a comfortable and safe ride.

The Chief Vintage’s disc brakes, floating rotors, and a standard ABS ensure reliable braking.

The Vintage instruments are tank-mounted and include a speedometer, digital tachometer, dual trip meters, oil pressure check, cruise control, ABS activation light, fuel gauge, gear position indicator, odometer, high beam, mileage range, and clock.

The comfortable leather seat allows you to ride for hours without any sores or discomfort. Fitted with wide handlebars, steering the bike is an easy task, but your hands are bound to freeze against the cold wind if your bike does not have heated grips. The floorboards are stylish and roomy so your feet can rest flat as you ride. The cruise control option on the Chief Vintage helps improve its riding comfort. A rider can choose different speeds to ride at and the cruise control system will help maintain the chosen speed. You can remove and relax your foot from the accelerator for some time.

For forward lighting, the Chief Vintage has a light bar with a large headlight and two comparatively smaller lights on either side of the main headlight. The forward lights feature a halogen bulb.

The bike also possesses turn signals, brake lights, and a LED tail light. The forward and rear lighting ensure maximum visibility and road presence.

The Indian Chief Vintage motorcycle has a high touring capability thanks to its efficient engine and suspensions. The touring accessories, such as a windshield and saddlebags, allow riders to take this bike for relaxing motorcycle trips.

The Indian Chief Vintage has a top speed of 115 mph.

The Indian Chief Vintage is powered by a Thunder Stroke 111 engine with a displacement of 1811 cc or 111 cu in.

The Indian Chief Vintage boasts a maximum horsepower of 79 hp.

The closed loop fuel injected engine gives the Indian Chief Vintage an average mileage of 34 mpg.

The Indian Chief Vintage has a dry weight of 804 lbs. With its 5.5-gallon fuel tank, the bike weighs 836 lbs on a full tank.

Yes. The Indian Chief Vintage lineup was discontinued in 2022.

The Indian Chief Vintage is a classic cruiser designed for comfortable daily commutes, urban rides, long-distance camping trips, and motorcycle tours.

This bike is equipped with a windshield and soft leather saddlebags. The tan colored seat match the saddlebags and are quite comfortable.

The Indian Motorcycle Company kept its heritage alive through the Vintage lineup. But sometimes this bike looks a bit old school when compared to the trendy looks of modern cruisers. If you own this classy machine and want to give it a modern custom look, then add a few aftermarket parts.

These may include fairings, crash bars, sissy bars, new seats, luggage racks, and  rider and passenger backrests.

You can replace the factory-installed soft Indian saddlebags with hard saddlebags or you can opt for a different color scheme.

Installing different types of Indian motorcycle luggage such as a windshield bag or a handlebar bag will increase your bike’s storage capacity while giving it a new look.